About 150 jobs are to be axed at the Bradford plant of speciality chemicals company Ciba, following its takeover by BASF, the world’s largest chemicals group.

Talks were today taking place with employee representatives at the Low Moor site, where about 830 people work.

The cuts are part of a global review of the Ciba business after BASF acquired the Swiss-based business in April.

In Bradford it will mean the transfer of research work to Germany along with a reduction in some production and administrative areas.

BASF stressed that Bradford would continue as a major manufacturing site and would become the global headquarters for its water treatment division.